Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and current/past/upcoming VHA Health Professions Trainee (HPT) Graduates. Veterans' Preference is not applicable. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Tulsa (James Mountain Inhofe VAMC): https://youtu.be/3fMEu0iS7_Q?si=Y5RtGcnKKbJGxxk6
Total Rewards of a VA Career: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• Performs a wide range of laboratory procedures, including all tests and tasks of a medical laboratory technologist.
• Conducts advanced and complex tests, recognizes deviations from expected results, and solves problems using scientific principles.
• Evaluates and resolves issues related to the collection and processing of biological specimens, considering physiologic processes and requirements.
• Maintains and documents optimal functioning of laboratory equipment.
  • Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment.
  • Diagnoses performance deviations due to instrument malfunction.
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities.
  • Takes corrective actions based on statistical principles and performance improvement theories.
• Adheres to biosafety and biosecurity regulations in the workplace.
• Identifies discrepancies, resolves problems, and presents effective solutions.
• Answers inquiries regarding:
  • Test results
  • Methodology
  • Test specificity and sensitivity
  • Factors influencing results
  • Interprets results and suggests follow-up tests or procedures.
• Evaluates and implements new laboratory techniques and procedures.
  • Compares equipment and methods, establishes reference intervals, and applies statistical and theoretical knowledge to interpret findings and make recommendations.
• Communicates effectively and courteously as a healthcare team member.
  • Provides excellent customer service to healthcare providers, patients, and others.
  • Offers direction and guidance using laboratory testing principles.
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines.
• Follows all VHA and local directives regarding safety, health, hazardous materials, and emergency management.
• Perhaps other duties as assigned, depending on grade level.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Primarily Monday through Friday, midnight to 10:30 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays.
Compressed/Flexible:Available
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V19RMNHRSBUMuskogee@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 623-60498-A, 623-60499-A, 623-60500-A

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS - To be considered for this position, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

a. Citizenship

• You must be a citizen of the United States (U.S.).
• If qualified U.S. citizens are not available, non-citizens may be appointed as per 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

b. Education

• You must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

c. Certification - You must meet one of the following certification options:

• (a) Generalist certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) through ASCP BOC or AMT.
• (b) Generalist certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) through ASCP BOR or AMT.

If You Do Not Currently Hold a Certification:

• If you meet an eligibility route in Appendix A for the MLS certification exam via ASCP BOC or AMT, you may be hired by the VA and work toward your certification.
• You may get a temporary CLS appointment under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) if you otherwise meet licensure eligibility.
• As a non-certified individual, you can only work under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL (Full Performance Level).
• Non-certified individuals are only appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted or converted until certification is obtained.
• Temporary appointments for non-certified CLSs cannot be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

d. Grandfathering Provision

• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

e. Foreign Education

• Education completed outside the U.S. must be evaluated by a private organization specializing in evaluating foreign credentials and found equivalent to a conventional U.S. program.
• Foreign graduates meet education requirements if:
  1. Their transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable agency and found equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science program, OR
  2. They submit a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating they are eligible for the certification exam.

Note: If you already have one of the certifications listed above, your foreign education is automatically considered creditable-no further proof is needed.

g. English Language Proficiency

• You must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS - In addition to the basic requirements, you must also meet the following criteria for the specified grade levels:

a. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07

1. Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
2. Assignment: This is an entry-level CLS position. You will receive guidance from more experienced staff and require daily direct supervision.

b. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09

1. Experience or Education: Must have one of the following:
   • 1 year of relevant experience equivalent to the next lower grade, OR
   • A Master's degree or 2 academic years of higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Must demonstrate:
   • Knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures.
   • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance principles.
   • Knowledge of lab equipment and routine maintenance.
   • Ability to work as a team member and complete assignments effectively.
   • Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
   • Ability to accurately perform all phases of laboratory testing (pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical).

c. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11

1. Experience or Education: Must have one of the following:
   • 1 year of relevant experience equivalent to the next lower grade, OR
   • 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, in medical technology or a directly related science.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Must demonstrate:
   • Knowledge of clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories for independent work.
   • Knowledge of quality control, assurance procedures, and performance improvement principles.
   • Skill in informatics, data flow, and laboratory processes.
   • Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
   • Ability to independently analyze and interpret lab results.
   • Ability to understand and apply complex written instructions.
   • Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with health care teams, customers, and patients.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.